The palace was silent.
Too silent.
Luxe stood alone in the courtyard, a wooden sword resting lightly in his hand.
The morning sun cast long shadows across the ground, but his gaze remained steady—focused far beyond what a child should possess.
This is where everything begins again.
A palace instructor stood a short distance away, arms crossed as he observed.
"Your stance is unstable again," the instructor said sternly. "You are putting too much force into your upper body while neglecting your lower balance."
Luxe adjusted his footing slightly.
"…Like this?" he asked calmly, shifting his weight with precision.
The instructor's brows furrowed.
"…Yes. That is correct," he replied slowly. "But how are you correcting it so quickly after a single observation?"
Luxe gave a small, controlled response.
"I am simply trying to understand each movement properly so I do not repeat the same mistake again."
The instructor stared at him for a moment longer.
"…You speak like someone far older than your age," he muttered.
Luxe didn't respond.
Because I am.
He raised the wooden sword again.
"Once more," the instructor ordered. "This time, focus on controlling the motion rather than forcing the strike."
Luxe nodded.
He inhaled slowly.
Exhaled.
Then—
Slash.
Clean.
Controlled.
Minimal movement.
"…Better," the instructor admitted. "However, your speed is still lacking. You must increase your reaction time if you wish to compete in real combat situations."
"…I understand," Luxe replied quietly. "Then I will focus on improving both control and speed simultaneously from now on."
The instructor blinked.
"…Simultaneously?" he repeated. "Most beginners struggle to manage even one of those aspects properly."
Luxe lowered the sword slightly.
"…Then I will simply train until it becomes possible."
Silence followed.
"…Very well," the instructor said at last.
"Continue."
From the edge of the courtyard—
Lumi watched.
Dressed as a maid, her posture remained composed, but her eyes followed every movement Luxe made.
"…His breathing is controlled," she thought.
"His movements are precise, efficient… almost like a trained warrior."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"…This is not natural growth. He is deliberately shaping himself."
Hours later—
The training session ended.
"You may rest now," the instructor said.
"Overexertion will only hinder your progress if your body cannot recover properly."
"…Thank you," Luxe replied calmly. "I will make sure to recover efficiently and continue improving."
The instructor nodded once and turned away.
Luxe remained still for a moment.
Then—
He exhaled softly.
"…This is not enough."
Night fell.
The palace dimmed into silence once more.
A small figure slipped through the corridors unnoticed.
Luxe.
"…Public training is too restricted," he murmured quietly. "I cannot grow fast enough under constant observation."
He stepped beyond the palace walls—
And into the forest.
Cold air greeted him.
"…Good."
He closed his eyes.
Now… focus.
Mana.
It flowed faintly inside his body.
Scattered.
Unrefined.
"…This is the problem."
He placed his hand over his chest.
"In my previous life, I forced my mana to grow recklessly, ignoring stability and long-term control…"
"…This time, I will build it properly from the foundation."
He inhaled deeply.
"Gather."
A faint spark appeared.
Spark.
Weak.
Unstable.
"…Again."
He focused harder.
Mana began to circulate.
Slowly forming a pattern.
"…The first circle…"
His voice lowered.
"Do not force it. Guide it."
The flow stabilized slightly.
A faint ring began forming within his core.
Unclear.
Incomplete.
But real.
"…This is it," Luxe whispered. "The beginning of everything."
Suddenly—
The spark grew stronger.
Crackle.
"…Good. The structure is stabilizing faster than expected."
He raised his hand again.
"Thunder… Bolt."
A thin streak of lightning shot forward—
CRACK—!!
It struck a nearby tree.
Not powerful.
But controlled.
From the shadows—
Lumi's eyes widened slightly.
"…He has already begun forming a mana structure and casting elemental magic simultaneously?" she whispered. "Even trained mages take months to achieve that level of control."
Her gaze grew more serious.
"…This is no longer talent. This is experience."
Luxe lowered his hand.
"…Still too inefficient," he said. "The mana consumption is higher than necessary."
He picked up his sword again.
"…Then I will combine it."
Lightning flickered around the blade.
Unstable.
"…Control it. Do not let it disperse."
He stepped forward—
"Flash Step."
A sudden burst—
His body moved forward faster than before.
Not perfect.
But faster.
Slash.
A faint lightning trail followed the strike.
"…Good."
He repeated it.
"Flash Step."
Slash.
Again.
"Flash Step."
Slash.
Each movement—
Sharper.
Faster.
Cleaner.
"…Speed and precision must become one," Luxe muttered. "There is no meaning in speed without control."
Lumi stepped out slightly.
"…Young Master, you are pushing your body beyond safe limits," she said calmly. "Your muscles are already under strain, and your mana flow is unstable."
Luxe stopped.
"…You're right," he admitted quietly. "If I collapse now, all progress will be meaningless."
Lumi walked closer.
"I have prepared medicine and warm water in advance," she said softly. "You should return and recover properly before continuing further."
"…You always prepare everything before I even ask," Luxe said, glancing at her.
"It is both my duty and my personal decision to do so," she replied. "Your safety comes before everything else."
Luxe looked at her for a moment.
"…Lumi."
"…Yes, Young Master?"
"…From now on, stay closer to me during training," he said quietly. "Not as a shadow… but as someone I can rely on."
Lumi's eyes widened slightly.
"…That is… unexpected," she said softly. "But if that is your command, I will remain by your side more openly."
"…Good."
Luxe turned and began walking back toward the palace.
"…This time," he murmured under his breath,
"I will grow stronger… step by step… without losing anything again."
Behind him—
Lumi followed silently.
But this time—
Not only as a shadow.
But as someone walking beside him.